Self-locking clamp



y 9 -5 GORDONY Y 2,348,618

SELF-LOCKING CLAMP Filed July 8, 1942 INVENTOR pyanqy f. Gordan ATTORNEY Patented May 9, 1944 C :1.

2 Claims.

invention relates to a self-locking clamp, and its object is to provide a simple inexpensive device which is easy to manipulate. My novel clamp is well suited as a device to be applied to the ear, and Iwill describe one embodiment of the invention which is especially designed -for this purpose, although-the invention is in no sense limited to that particular use, as I will show by describing an embodiment designed for grasping articles to be lifted.

I will describe the invention in the following specification and will point out its novel features in appended claims.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an ear clamp which is made according to and embodies my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of the latter figure;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of a part of the structure shown in the preceding figures, illustrating its mode of operation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of construction; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of a lifting clamp.

In Figs. 1-4, In designates a U-shaped clamp especially designed to be afiixed to the lobe of an ear for anchoring an eyeglass chain. One end of this device terminates in a substantially vertical anvil surface H. Its other end is forked and forms a prong l2 having a substantially vertical flat surface l3 and another prong l4 having a flat surface |5 oblique to the surface l3. Near the line of convergence of the surfaces l3 and |5 is a transverse pocket l6 having an interrupted cylindrical surface. Holes H and I8 are formed in the prongs I2 and I4, respectively, on an axis A--B substantially normal to the face I I and the surface I3.

is a locking flap having flat parallel sides and an enlargement 2| at its lower end which fits loosely the cylindrical pocket Hi. The flap is thus pivotally mounted to swing freely between the prongs l2 and I4. 22 is a hole bored through the locking flap on an axis which when the flap is in the vertical position 20A in which it is shown in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3, is parallel with the axis A--B.

is a cylindrical rod which passes freely through the holes l1 and H3 in the prongs and also passes freely through the hole 22 in the flap when the latter is in its vertical position 20A. 3| is a button at the end of the rod 30 which UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC 1. SELF-LOCKING CLAMP Sydhey' I. Gordon, Manhasset, Y." 'Application July 8, 1942, Serial No. 450,133 (0114-249) f projects beyond the prong M. This button'may be an integral part of the rod.- 32is a similar button affixed to the other end of the rod.

The parts are assembled by moving the flap enlargementil laterally into the pocket I6, inserting the .rod 30 through the holes I8, 22 and H and then placing the button 32 on the inner end of the rod and afiixing it thereto by some suitable means, such as cement.

In operation, the device is placed upon the lobe of an ear, for example, with the anvil surface II on one side of the ear. Pressure on the button 3| will move the flap to the left and the button 32 against the other surface of the ear. There is no restraint whatever against this movement.

When pressure is released from the button 3| the rod 30 will retract somewhat, carrying the flap with it to the position in which it is shown at 20 in Fig. 3. Its retractive movement will be arrested by the engagement of upper and lower portions 23, 24, respectively, of the hole 22 with the rod (Fig. 3). The rod is thus securely locked against further outward movement and the device will be securely affixed to the ear. A slight rotative movement imparted to the rod 30 by means of the button 3| will release the device. The device may be placed on the ear with considerable pressure as the retractive movement of the button 32 releases excessive pressure and avoids discomfort to the user.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, a notch |6A is provided at the base of the surfaces l3 and I5 of the prongs and a lip 2|A projecting from the lower end of the flap 20B is arranged to engage this notch. The operation of this device is similar to that already described.

Obviously, the body of the clamp may be ornamental to form an earring. Ihave already stated that the invention is not limited to an ear attachment. The device shown in Fig. 5 is a clamp especially designed for engaging an object, such as shell 40. It comprises a body having parallel spaced upper and lower portions 4| and 42 through which are bored holes 43 and 44 in axial alinement. A lifting chain 45 is aflixed to eyebolts 46 in the body.

A locking flap 50 is mounted on a pivot 5| in one side of the body. A hole 52 is bored through the flap on an axis which when the flap is parallel with the inner surfaces of the portions 4| and 42, is parallel to that of the axis of the holes 43 and 44 therein. A stop 53 on the flap limits its upward movement.

This device may be lowered over a shell 40 Which will push the flap 50 upwardly and enter freely through the holes 44, 52 and 43, which will drop down into the locking position shown when the clamp comes to rest. The shell may then be lifted by the chain 45 and lowered onto another support. It can then be released by raising the flap 50.

Other structural arrangements may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and I intend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A self locking clamp comprising a pair of fixed spaced members having converging surfaces, an enlarged cylindrical transverse pocket passing through the body on an axis substantially on the line of convergence of said surfaces, axially alined holes in said members, a locking flap between the members having an enlarged cylindrical end rotatably fitting said transverse pocket in the body, said flap being arranged to abut one of the converging surfaces of the body to limit its movement in one direction, a hole formed in the flap on an axis parallel with the axis of the holes in said members when the flap is in its limited position, a rod passing through the holes in the members and the flap, said flap being arranged to be rotated into its limited position by the movement of the rod in one direcby the movement of the rod in the other direction to arrest the latter movement of tlfe rod.

.2. A self locking clamp comprising a U-shaped body having an anvil face at one of its ends and a pair of prongs at its other end, said prongs having spaced converging surfaces, an enlarged cylindrical transverse pocket passing through the body on an axis substantially on the line of convergence of said surfaces, axially alined holes in said prongs, a locking flap between the prongs having an enlarged cylindrical end rotatably fitting said transverse pocket in the body, said flap arranged to abut one of the prongs to limit its movement in one direction, a hole formed in the flap on an axis parallel with the axis of the holes in the prongs when the flap is in its limited position, a rod passing through the holes in the prongs and the flap, an enlarged head on the end of the rod adjacent the said face, said flap being arranged to be rotated into its limited position by the movement of the rod toward the anvil face and to. be rotated in the opposite direction by the movement of the'rod away from the anvil face to arrest the latter movement of the rod.

SYDNEY I. GORDON.

tion and to be rotated in the opposite direction 

